651ls400

hey guys im brand new to the site, i recently got a 91 ls400 with 170,000 miles, the car ran fine up until about a week ago, thats when all hell started breaking loose, my power steering fluid has been leaking like crazy (i have to put more in every other day or so) and when i start the car up i get a big plume of smoke, it stops smoking once the car is running but the cloud on startup is really big, now today i go outside and start the car and when in park the engine is racing from 1000 rpm to 2000 rpm over and over again dropping down to 1000 and then revving up to 2000, once i put the car in drive it idles at 1100 rpm which makes me have to break HARD in order to stop for any reason, while i was driving like this every time i hit the brake the lights dimmed and the music would cut out a little bit, once i parked the car and turned it off it was completely dead. im starting to feel like i got ripped off big time and have a complete lemon on my hands, ive wanted a ls400 since i was 16 and jumped at the chance to get this one, does ANYONE have any idea what could be causing all these problems? ALSO if anybody has an estimate as to how much all this is gonna cost me that would be great

651ls400

ALSO if there are any mechanics on here from minnesota or if anyone knows of any that i can have help me with this stuff i would be MORE then thankful

Thermactor

iTrader: (1)

to answer your question, yes!
your power steering pump idle-up valve took a monster dump.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Yeah...get that fixed and see if any other codes or symptoms remain. A PS rebuild/seal will be about $200. Get it done before the PS fluid takes out the alternator.

ROPADOPA

Sounds like the vacuum check valve went out in your power steering . easy fix. Its causing the engine to vacuum your power steering fluid in to the manifold causing it to smoke. Loop it and the smoke should clear up. It also sounds like you got enough in your manifold to muff up your idle air control motor . so that may need cleaning or replacing , This is easy stuff and there are some good posts with pictures and every thing, dont sweat it you got a good car they just need some attention here and there. good luck

alredxiii

iTrader: (13)

A lemon is a veh that has problems from the factory and cannot be resolved.Your veh is a 19 year old with 170k miles that needs repairs

651ls400

thanks for all your help guys this forum rocks!! do you think the idle air control valve is the reason for the RPM racing in park? to be honest thats the thing that has me the most worried

whit3b0y

honestly i dont think it is a lemon if the car is 20yrs old. just not maintained as should be. I think if you fix the existing issues and with keep maint. then you will continue to have a good car.

Thermactor

iTrader: (1)

Could you say that of a 20 year old Chrysler, ANY 20 year old Chrysler?
edit: if any still exist

avalon42

iTrader: (1)

Yes. I've experienced that problem for myself, and it is not fun to drive under those circumstances. Change it out ASAP, there is no way to repair it. since the device is magnetically sensitive.